Charlie Hebdo’s New Cartoon

As an American artist who lives part time in Paris, I feel that The New York Times’s decision not to print the new Charlie Hebdo cartoon is regrettable.

Rather than depicting a gun-wielding Prophet Muhammad who would have endorsed the extremist interpretation of Islam of the terrorists who gunned down their friends and colleagues, the editors of Charlie Hebdo demonstrated courage and restraint in depicting a tearful and forgiving Prophet Muhammad holding the sign “I Am Charlie” with the headline “All Is Forgiven.”

To view a caricature of a forgiving Muhammad as blasphemous to Islam is indeed ironic, when it could just as easily be deemed an affirmation of a more moderate and accurate view of Islam, one led by a prophet who would have abhorred the terrorist acts committed in his name. The fact that the image may offend some Muslims is not a justification for not printing it.

If freedom of speech applies only to speech deemed inoffensive to anyone, including extremists, then the terrorists have, sadly, achieved their objective.

GAEL MOONEY New York, Jan. 14, 2015

To the Editor:

I salute all those who exercise their freedom of expression with courage and determination. No one should have to die or be physically harmed for exercising this right. But I wonder whether cautious and responsible journalism would be prudent when publishing something that is offensive to one of the largest religions in the world.

Some 1.6 billion Muslims hold their prophet in the highest regard. And a fraction of the radical members of that religion would punish those who depict the prophet in a negative way. Is it really worth it? Or is it best just to let certain thoughts not be expressed in the interest of maintaining an uneasy harmony?

The peaceful followers of Islam need to support freedom of expression and respond to any depiction of their prophet considered blasphemous by affirming their faith with increased fervor and condemning those who resort to violence.

GIRISH KOTWAL Louisville, Ky., Jan. 14, 2015

To the Editor:

When I saw the latest cartoon of Charlie Hebdo, with Mohammed forgiving those who resorted to violence, it was quite touching. Très belle, ça. However, I am prone to say that I am 99 percent Charlie, not 100 percent.

There will be many who will call me out, but I believe that cartoonists should refrain from mocking Islam’s leaders, if it is a sacred matter and a game changer. Yes, I do believe in free speech, so I understand that this is a conflict. Nevertheless, there are many, many topics in this world to lampoon besides Islam. No one should die for making a cartoon, d’accord, but if it violates Islamic sensibilities enough to incite violence, cartoonists should just let this topic go.

Born and raised in Paris, as a French Jew, I was thrilled to watch and hear Prime Minister Manuel Valls’s speech to the National Assembly and witness the reactions of its members.

Never before has a French prime minister so forcefully expressed what Jews represent for France and concerns for the safety of the Jewish community.

There won’t be any huge exodus, even though some Jews might choose to leave. For centuries Jews have lived in France, with ups and downs. There will always be a French Jewish community — not a token entity, but a thriving force for growth and progress.

Thanks to Manuel Valls for his righteous position and his outspoken courage.

ELIE FEUERWERKER Highland Park, N.J., Jan. 14, 2015

To the Editor:

Contrary to your editorial’s suggestion (“An exodus of Jews would suit last week’s attackers just fine”), French Jewish emigrants and those encouraging them are not surrendering to the attackers, or letting the terrorists win.

France has consistently failed to protect its Jewish citizens. France had the chance to do right by its Jewish citizens after the Dreyfus affair, after Vichy’s shameful collaboration with the Nazis, after the 2012 murders of a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse. But it failed. Repeatedly. And now, yet again, it asks for another chance.

French Jews are not giving in to the violent, hateful bigots; their emigration instead highlights France’s failure to protect them and to uphold the country’s most basic values. If — to paraphrase Prime Minister Manuel Valls — France ceases to be France, it will have only itself to blame.

DANIEL N. SWARTZ New York, Jan. 14, 2015

A version of this article appears in print on , Section A, Page 28 of the New York edition with the headline: Charlie Hebdo’s New Cartoon. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe